Justice Selects Austin Caperton for DEP Secretary

1/13/2017

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CHARLESTON,WV— Today, Governor-elect Jim Justice announced that Austin Caperton will serve as his secretary for the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

He is currently the president of Caperton Inc., a strategic business consulting company. Caperton has experience working with companies to create jobs in the energy industry. After he graduated with an engineering degree from Virginia Tech and a law degree from West Virginia University, Austin Caperton held a number of senior leadership positions in the business world.

In addition, he’s served as the director of the Beckley – Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, United Bank WV, the West Virginia Council for Community & Economic Development and the vice chairman of the West Virginia Public Energy Authority. He is the cousin of former Governor Gaston Caperton.

“Austin Caperton has the management experience to make the West Virginia DEP run efficiently,” said Governor-elect Jim Justice. “Austin understands the energy sector of our state, and he will strike a balance between protecting our environment and getting rid of needless red tape that hurts job creation. He has the private sector experience I want to help me make state government operate with business-like accountability.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity to serve the state I love so much,” said Austin Caperton. “Just like Governor-elect Justice, and others in his cabinet, I’m walking away from a successful business career to play a part in turning around West Virginia. I look forward to working with the Governor-elect to grow jobs while protecting our land, air, and water.”